The new electronically controlled metal-blade slotted shutter offers the benefits of a more discreet sound. We recorded and compared the sound of a standard camera and that of an upgraded M8 in real life situations and these files are available as a download on this page for you to compare. The new shutter involves less kinetic force, especially during the opening of the shutter, which results in even more sharply defined hand-held exposures at slow shutter speeds. To see the evidence for yourself, please see our download section. Read the whole article inside

Leica's 7.2-megapixel status symbol, the C-LUX 2 ($499 street), is certainly an attractive camera, with its sleek metal design and Leica's easily identifiable red dot logo. But at nearly $500, the camera's performance is more comparable to those in the $250-$350 range.
The 5.4 oz camera is virtually identical to Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX30 ($250 street). Available in silver or black, the C-LUX 2 packs a 3.6x zoom f/2.8-5.6 (28-100mm 35mm equiv zoom) Leica Vario-Elmarit DC lens with a true wide-angle setting of 28mm. The sharp 2.5" 207,000 pixel LCD screen is large and bright and easily viewable even in direct sunlight when gained up. Menus are easy to navigate and a button on the rear of the unit activates the camera's function menu, providing easy access to image stabilization, frame rate, white balance, ISO and resolution settings. Like many compact digicams, no optical viewfinder is provided, so images must be framed using the camera's LCD screen. A High Angle setting decreases LCD contrast while increasing brightness, making the display visible from higher angles, a handy feature for grabbing shots over a crowd of people. Read the whole article here

The new firmware version 1.3 for the LEICA DIGITAL MODUL R and the instruction for updating the firmware is available here.

Following optimisations were accomplished by the new firmware version:

• Improved colour rendering on the Digital-Modul-R display
• Adjustment of exposure
• Improved compatibility of SD cards with FAT 32 system /4 GB cards (not SDHC)
• Numerous internal procedures were implemented that optimise the general image reproduction and functional features of the Digital-Modul-R

You can download the firmware update here

Leica releases firmware update version 1.102 for the M8 digital camera. The version addresses the image quality problems resulting from the M8 sensor sensitivity for infrared light. Depending on the angle of the light it can lead to color offsets near the image edges with focal lengths from 16 to 35mm and will give an undesirable magenta-colored offset effect. Leica has therefore recommended the use of special Leica UV/IR filters. Together with coded lenses, this new firmware version corrects these color offsets...
Visit the Leica M8 firmware version 1.102 download page and read the very noce article here

The Leica M8 digital rangefinder body continues the look and feel of the legendary M-series 35mm rangefinder cameras. The M8 has the same rounded contours and satin chrome or black finish as Leica's M7 film camera. It also shares the same rangefinder focusing system. Imaging is handled by a large 10.3-megapixel Kodak CCD sensor. It accommodates all M-mount interchangeable lenses from Leica, Zeiss, and Voigtlander. The M8 automatically provides noise reduction for long exposures, has a high ISO 2500 setting at full resolution, a fast 1/250 second flash synch speed, and an all-metal focal plane shutter with a shutter speed range from 4 seconds to 1/8000 of a second. Read the whole article here

A firmware download for the LEICA M8 is available here as well as under the LEICA M8 page. Please read the instructions on how to update your camera.
The new version includes numerous improvements based on your practical experience. The user interface was modified in a few areas, making handling the LEICA M8 even easier and securer. In addition, the operational reliability was enhanced by optimizing internal procedures. The planned adjustments for using the specialized UV/IR filters has not been included in the firmware 1.092. Even so, we have decided to make all the rest of the improvements accessible for our customers immediately. These are: Read the whole article inside